Grant/Contract # H323A120019
Program Name State Personnel Development Grants Program
Competition State Personnel Development Grants
Title California State Personnel Development Grant (Project READ)
Project Directors Balcom, Fred; Braeger, Don
Email fbalcom@cde.ca.gov

Purpose: This project will increase the reading achievement and academic outcomes of middle school students with disabilities from low-performing middle schools throughout California via collaborative, evidence-based personnel development for the instructors that teach there.

Method: Activities of this project include: (a) training reading and special education teachers in research-based reading intervention programs and in Common Core reading skills; (b) conducting curricula reviews and analyses for reading content, while also supporting implementation of evidence-based response to intervention reading structures; (c) sustaining follow-up activities to support practices via webinars and institutes; (d) monitoring data on improvement and outcomes, as well as identifying teacher professional development needs; (e) implementing family workshops supporting student reading; and (f) collaborating with other institutions of higher education, parent training and information centers, and other organizations and agencies.